A president's passion for wildlife

"Wildlife plays a crucial role in the intricate web of life on Earth, contributing significantly to the natural ecological system. The well-being of these creatures is intricately intertwined with the sustainable development of humanity," said President Xi Jinping during his visit to a wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe in December 2015.

Accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, Xi explored the sanctuary, engaging with elephants, lions, pangolins, giraffes, gnus, and other wild inhabitants. They personally fed the elephants and giraffes, offering them fruits and leaves.

Prior to the expedition, Xi highlighted in his article a noteworthy gift presented to China in 2014 by then Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe—a pair of lion cubs. Named "Jin Jin" and "Fei Fei," echoing the initial Chinese characters for Zimbabwe and Africa, these cubs symbolize the enduring friendship between China and Zimbabwe as well as China's broader connection with Africa. Currently, they reside in the Shanghai Wild Animal Park.